92K miles isn't all that much, if the car's been properly maintained and
there's nothing else major wrong with it. How much is the shop quoting
for pulling the head? If it's the head gasket, Repair Pal estimates
$650-850, and almost all of that cost is labor.
It comes down to how committed you are to the car. If they pull the head
and find out it's cracked, would you call it a day, eat the labor for
pulling the head, and junk the car, or accept a much larger repair bill
and maybe try to mitigate the cost by sourcing a replacement head from a
junkyard.

$1,500 for labor. Was $1,750 estimate at Honda dealer. $900 of that to pull the head and evaluate. We are moving forward. If the
head is damaged then will re-evaluate. It is a 2005 bright red EX SE coupe with 5 speed manual, factory spoiler and factory aluminum
wheels. The wife still loves it.
Lynn

$1500 seems on the high side, but I've never had to have a head pulled
so I don't have a frame of reference what my preferred local shop would
charge for that. Still, the car's worth quite a bit more than that,
probably somewhere between $6-7K depending on whether an individual or a
dealer is selling it. I'm biased toward paying close attention to
maintenance and fixing things when they break or wear out instead of
letting them go. Both of my Hondas are several years older and with
significantly higher mileage than yours. They still look good and drive
very well. IMO people are often too quick to get rid of perfectly
serviceable cars, but then again most folks have no knowledge of, or
interest in, how they operate.

I don't believe I'd make a repair costing about a third of a vehicle's
value in one of that age and mileage. Too many other "hardening of the
arteries" type issues just beneath the surface maybe getting ready to
bite you on your butt.
Buy your wife a nice red Porsche. She'll forgive you for junking her Honda.

--
There are no dangerous weapons. There are only dangerous men.
- Robert A. Heinlein

Earlier this year, we performed the 100K mile maintenance (new timing belt and plugs). And got a new clutch and throwout bearing.
And replaced the bearing in the manual gearbox since one was growling. So, we have spent the $6K that the car is worth, all one job
at a time.
Since we work (and may live soon) on a gravel road, I would not buy her a Porsche. But a Rav4 is looking very nice. No more Hondas
according to Consumer Reports.
Lynn

We own a 1997 Honda Civic EX also with 102K miles as our backup car. The interior and exterior are falling apart, etc. But it still
starts and runs just fine. The wife wanted to know if I could move the 97 engine into the 05. I said no ...
Lynn

You're a wonderful example of a consumer! Keep those landfills topped up and
make sure you've always got the latest and greatest!!!
I'm happy with my 1986 Honda. It's had a slightly rattley little end for a
couple of years now though so I've had to go a bit light on the fast pedal.
I must get around to swapping in the spare engine that I picked up for a box
of beer (after I put a new timing belt in it). I'll be able to fit the new
clutch that I have on the shelf at the same time.

--
Shaun.

"Humans will have advanced a long, long way when religious belief has a cozy

I've had five Hondas with manual transmissions, and I've never had to
replace the clutch in any of them (although my CRX's clutch was just
starting to slip a bit occasionally after 17 years, when I sold it). Not
too long ago I was discussing this very subject with the owner of the
independent shop I use, and he said he couldn't ever remember having to
replace a clutch on any of his customers' Hondas.
I might be inclined to suggest that if you had to replace a clutch at
100K miles, your wife might be better off with an automatic
transmission. But I understand that you might want to remain married,
and would thus be hesitant to make that observation. :-)

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